Mar 31, 2011

Resolve

resolve

As Xendex, Daleanus, Andigo and Kalluf were walking towards Falco, Andigo having to walk some distance in the front. Kalluf curiously asked Lord Xendex:

-Does curse vary to each person?
(How well the question was placed: 49 / Xendex throws a resistance to check how much he will hide from an innocent individual asking about something he need to know for his security: 74) 
-I`m not sure. For now keep this walking distance. I am sure he can tell you more himself based on his own experience.
(fail)

After a short introduction between everybody and satisfactory answers form Kalluf and Andigo on the topic of their readiness to do something for themselves, the pleasant atmosphere was shattered when Lord Xendex asked Falco to reveal how much money he stashed and where it is.
- That's gone!  I sent it off with the pirates when I heard you were coming.  But even if I had it still I wouldn't tell you where it is.
(acting : 51 / Xendex throws a resistance check to acting: 45)
Xandex rolls his eyes, not wanting to argue with Falco
(semi fail)

As Xendex kept explaining the importance of the mission to persuade Falco to tell about the money, Falco interrupted him asking why Xendex thinks he would be willing to risk his life for the interests of wealthy merchants, as all he wants is to have a permission to come home if he wanted and there is sure something else he could do instead of attacking some new Evil threat.
- There's a reason why I left my father's house when I was ten.  You know, Lord Xendex that I don't trust your class of society.  Xendex you're a joke.  You can send these two to die but, I'm not going!
(propaganda +35: 87 / Xendex throws a resistance check not to hit Falco on the spot: 77)
Falco`s word make a big impression on everybody around, and Xendex is obviously angry.
(success)

The atmosphere is now changed to one of more equality instead of one telling the other what to do. Kalluf jumps in with a question:
- What other risks are you not telling us?
(Presence check: 58 / Xendex rolls propaganda +55: 42)
- There may be many dangers. The road to Iho is long and dangerous...there are wild animals and barbarians...who knows...
(fail)
- You must think we are expenduble!, Kalluf said, as he thought of the word which sounds very smart.
(General roll: 14)
But he didn’t say it the right way. Daleanus and Andigo quietly giggled.
(big fail)

Falco decided to risk and act as he is leaving as these two are no help: one is not speaking at all and the other one is just a stupid fighter. He hopes Xendex and Daleanus will ask him to stay and offer something. He trips and falls on his head, breaking his nose.
(acting: 03 low open ended, 93: total -90)

Daleanus comes to help his cousin and after few warm words Falco accepts to go on the quest. He tells Xendex he has about 400 gold in his stash, but he has to keep at least 100 for the future, and 300 can go for hiring barbarians. Xendex accepts and promises he will add 300 of his own money.

Andigo says:
- I believe you tripped on your own this time, sorry if you think its my bad luck. By the way, can I get a walking staff of some sort? If you say I am a magician to be and not a cursed soul as I think I am, I`m going to need some sort of a staff.
(begging +50 bonus for not asking more questions: 40)
- Well...I think I saw a nice staff in the hand of that priest who wanted to throw you off the cliff, Xandex said...its only fair you know take something of his. Just don’t kill anybody.
(success)

/the prologue will continue/

Mar 29, 2011

The Prologue


It was anything but the ordinary day in the usually busy and more-less peaceful town of Kimio. After the sinking of one of the local trading ships only hours after it took sail a few days before, which took several lives, people soon began to blame the local herb dealer Andigo for the misfortune as very often those who had been involved with him suffered minor unexplainable incidents. Andigo was thrown to prison and one of the influential priests of the nearby island temple in Cardussa, where waters of life are worshiped, popular with sailors, suggested Andigo should be given the trial of the sea. If he survives fall from the cliffs of Kimio to the sea, he is blameless, and if the sea takes him, it was to be the sign that he had cursed the sailors or the ships, or maybe the whole Kimio bay. Usually, the harder criminals are not trialled in Kimio, but in mother city of Afstasia, but on this occasion the crowd got carried away with the priests suggestion and demanded that Andigo be immediately put to the “test”,  and the mayor and Palogen, the highest noble around didn’t object, as he was personally co owner of the sunken ship. Andigo was put to the pole in the town square where criminals are often put for public display and the priest was talking about appeasing the sea as the whole town gathered, when from the back the sound of excited babble came and the crowd had split, opening the way for about a dozen warriors in bright iron armours and lots of sophisticated heraldry of the highest houses of the Eastern League.

Kalluf was in the crowd, watching without much interest, when he saw Lord Xendex himself heading the party and his blood boiled. Xendex is the most noble warrior in the Eastern league, who killed many Evil monsters and sorcerers and was always followed, as now, by a group of strongest fighters from his city of Filo, the biggest city on the eastern shore of Ung, all nobles and all in iron. They are marching without servants and in armour, which means they are on some important quest, and are expecting combat, surely against the Evil, as there are no intercity wars at the present. Maybe if he is allowed to speak to someone from the party, they can tell him how to get a job as a soldier or a guard in some even better place than Kimio...

Falco was the only guest in the tavern at that moment, and several times he had to order costly foreign beer just to keep the owner from closing down, as everybody from the tavern were eager to see the trial of that young warlock. Having pity for anybody facing execution, guilty or not he was not going to attend the charade, and he was anyway waiting for his cousin Daleanus to arrive with Lord Xendex the whole morning. He was probably the only person informed about their arrival (he heard the information from pirates who all fled the coastal camps in fear of Xendex) in the town, which was good, as he will have the time to speak to Daleanus before the upper classes snatch them all and tug them to banquets and give them other honours. He saw the party from afar and waited by the road. Xendex just gave him a look, fortunately not recognizing him as an outlaw and they went by, but Daleanus gave him the sign to wait right there.

Andigo listened to accusations from the priest and was hoping all will end fast as he started to feel the strange sensation, an awful feeling of something terrible building up in him, a kind of storm. He felt the same way once before when he was held knife under his neck by a robber, and it than stopped as soon as he took his possessions and released him. But he felt its not going to stop this time, this awful storm in him.

Lord Xendex shouted:
-You, the priest, get out of my sight - NOW!

The priest tried to speak, but as Xendex made a few steps towards him and the pole with Andigo tied to it he quickly disappeared into the crowd. Lord Xendex came to Andigo, untied him, and other warriors from the group made a circle around them, weapons lowered, as no one from the crowd did object in face of such majestic warriors.

Kalluf approached one of them.
-Sir. Can I ask you something?
-Sure.
-I was a hunter and a  trapper in the westland woods. I came here to join the port guard but they don’t want me, as I’m stronger than their captain and, pardon me sir, not kissing behinds of local nobles. Do you know any city or a town where I could find an employment? Being a trapper isn’t much of a living, you know. I am good with a spear...
-All right, all right. Stand behind me.

And the warrior let Kalluf into the circle mad of man in iron. Kalluf was proud beyond description. This noble spoke to him as to his equal, and standing here with Xendexes companions made him believe he will one day maybe be a part of some elite force like this, fighting Evil, barbarians, pirates, or anybody else.

Xendex spoke:
-Is it possible you forget the law and make summary executions based on the word of one priest!? Tell Palogen I am very disappointed in him. You people cannot make a distinction between a wild mage and a warlock? This poor soul will be a precious asset to the League once he is properly trained to use his talent, and you almost killed him. Be off, all of you, except those who want to offer hospitality to my party, there’s 14 of us, one guest per house, as I don’t intend to stay in the Palogens palace as long he lets his town to be controlled by senile priests!

The crowd dispersed and few heads of richer families approached the party. Arrangements were made, and all the fighters except Lord Xendaex and the one Kalluf was talking to were in the square, Kalluf right there.

Daleanus said:
- Lord, my worthless cousin Falco is here. He wants to see me, probably to ask forgiveness for his dealings with the pirates. Can I speak with him?
- I saw him. I`ll speak with him myself. I he is sincere and proves it, maybe there’s a chance. I would hate to see your uncle`s business falling to the hands of that despicable Crut, and old Harry want be there much longer. Who is this?
- My name is Kalluf, Lord. I seek employment in League’s armed forces.
-Ha! There’s no such thing. Come, we will talk later. You, what your name?
-Andigo.
-Are you the wicked warlock they say you are?
- I don’t know. I am cursed, I know that much.
Xendex turned to Daleanus.
- He was on the verge of banging, you know...
-I saw it too.
Champion of Filo turned back to Andigo.
- You go 50 feet in front of us. I don’t want to triple against my own sword right now. We shall go to the north road.

So Lord Xendex, Daleanus, Andigo and Kalluf went to the crossroads where Falco waited. After a few minutes, as Xendex inquired how sincere Falco is about his intentions, how resolute Kalluf is about becoming a respectable warrior, and is there any willpower left in Andigo to make him take a long road towards controlling his “talent”, which was very hard as Andigo is sure he is not a wild mage, as in that case he should be able cast beneficial spells, at least sometimes.

After he was satisfied with all three young man, Lord Xendedx said:

-Listen to me carefully. Andigo, the only way you can escape you “curse”, as you call it, is to travel to Kellasia...I know it is a long way from here, but I can explain you in detail how to find one man who can help you. He is know as Shieldmaker of Iho, and I will write you the directions on this parchment, it will take you about three months to get there on foot, as I don’t recommend travelling by boat with your luck. Please, take this advice. I cannot tell you anything more about the Shieldmaker now, but believe me it is the only way.

Falco, you idiot...With the same energy you showed in organizing criminal gangs, you could by now be one of the richest merchants and most influential political figures in your home town, and one day in the League. But what has been, has been. The most important thing is you are not charged for murder anywhere. I know you have lost of money stashed somewhere and you will tell me where it is...I’m glad you understand why that must be. I will send that money to Iho by boat and it will wait for you there to be used for  a good cause. West of Iho is Velguard`s pass, a very important passage for incense and crafts from the north to Ung. It is now blocked for some time by Evil, a strange new kind of man-controlling mage, which concerns me very much as there was no occasion so far which I know of when evil mage could control man for prolonged time. You must hire local barbarians north of Iho in consultation with the Shieldmaker and clear the pass. That will bring back important trade root for the Eastern coast and you will than be more than welcome to come back as someone who is both a hero and a benefactor. If you die at least you will clear your name and name of your family.

Kalluf, your mission is to escort these two, as you seem to be the only reliable one, and to come  back to me in the fall to report how the preparations for taking the pass are going, and does Shieldmaker needs me for the fight.

Here’s some gold to cover your expenses, and remember to always walk at least 100 ft from Andigo. You can meet and talk several times a day for short periods, as I believe only the prolonged staying in his immediate company triggers the “curse”.

Any questions?

Mar 18, 2011

INTRODUCTION


Both Kalluf and Andigo are born into free farmers families, in areas outside of control of any city-state or petty kingdom. You live on large peninsula known as Ung among other names where cities are on the south and to the lesser extent on the east and the west shore, while the middle of the peninsula is wilder and north without almost any human presence. Falco is born into a shipowners family on a island of Guna.

People live in about 20 city-states on Ung, which together cover about 30% of the landmass, while free farmers and several barbarian tribes claim the same percentage in the middle Ung. The rest is either uninhabited, uncharted or in possession of Evil, as there are more than 100 identified hotspots on Ung, at least as old sayings go, and it is probably correct estimate as every city-state has at least two witches, sea-monsters, harpies or whatever right on its borders. As I said earlier, Evil things are almost untouchable in their liars, but they also rarely venture to attack humans far from their strongholds, so they are mostly black areas on the map which are to be avoided.

Kalluf`s farm was destroyed in a raid by a vengeful barbarian tribe, which happens from time to time, as relations between free farmers and the barbarians have ups and downs. He was than taken by neighbors, and raised properly in a large community of free trappers and hunters, all civilized people who left their native city-states not willing to pay taxes. Kalluf quickly grew into a mighty ranger and fighter, and than decided to try to live in a city for a while, as he had enough money from trading hides and furs to buy a house, and was hoping to get a job in growing port facilities of Kimio, a fast growing coast town, because he have heard that strong warriors are very well paid in the Self-defence force, created to protect the port from pirates.

Falco`s life was more-less pleasant and interesting as he was growing up on Guna, learning about trade and ships, until when he was 15 when he was following his father on a long journey and one night decided to leave for a few hours, but he fell into trouble and couldn't`t return for five days, when ship was long gone. After five years in different countries where he was mostly thieving he managed to get home where he realized he is not anymore in any succession plans and that life there is much more boring than he remembered. He stole family jewels and started his own business in trading with pirates he met on his voyages, reselling stolen goods in towns and cities in Ung, pretending to be a rich merchant. But after another three years he became a well known figure in many places and had to flee from arrest several times.

Andigo`s story is much rougher. He lived before age 10 in a beautiful settings of a house in the woods, as parents were farmers living of a lovely small garden, away from other peopple. Later Andigo realized that they were so well off as 50 gardens couldn't provide, and that he never knew really much about his muscular father and his stunning mother. Anyway, after he turned 11 weird accidents started to occur, and parents were visibly shaken, as Andigo heard them planing to send his baby sister away. But one accident (never involving Andigo himself, just parents) eventually took life of his father. After that, mother became lethargic and one day Andigo found only burnt out remains of his house - one last accident. So he set off wondering with his dog Phoenix, always going from trouble to trouble and bringing misery to people around him. He soon accepted that he is cursed and stayed away from humans, watching stars, collecting herbs for a living and philosophizing about his fate.

Their stories cross in a town of Kimio where Kalluf is frustrated as he almost spent all his savings and still cant get local nobles to accept him in the anti piracy force, because they say he has to live five years in the town to get residency, but he knows it is just a game to make him either work as a guard not for salary but as a dependent servant or marry ugly doughier of one of the nobles. In the meantime, Andigo, who was living on the edge of the town was accused of causing a ship to sink by means of evil spells, and he is to be trown off the cliff in a few days as an offering to the gods. Falco came to Kimio as he heard that on of his kis, mighty warrior Daleanus is traveling with Lord Xendex, one of present living heroes, trough Kimio on some epic quest. He wants to talk to his cousin to see if there is any way for him to be accepted back in the family as he more than multiplied what he stole, but is now a wanted man.

This is two years before the time in which we begin the game, when your characters were level 2, before Kalluf acquired monster-hunter, Andigo arcist nad Falco nightblade level. We will first play the prologue, which will set some themes, give you a chance to make some small success or mistakes which will affect the future, and talk a little to some characters. You cannot die in the prologue.

Mar 11, 2011

THE WORLD

This is the only post where I will speak to you as players, not to your characters. These are some things you need to know so you can understand the game world better, to avoid your character having non-realistic ideas. When playing live with friends, we had common arguments when players were insisting their characters are mentally able (waving their character sheets with high Reasoning) to invent something new in their game world, using players knowledge from this world (glider, crossbow, etc). Some things are simply out of the question, as you world is on the different technological level, and that’s why this post is important: so you should know what you can and cannot have (for example, in this game iron swords will be rare). Also, socially, it is good to know in what kind of the world you are, so you shouldn’t make mistakes calling on nonexistent social structures. One player mentioned “militia” in his character description. In this world there are no militias, as only middle and upper classes bear arms. So, here we go, these are some guidelines.

There are no other races, just Humans. Exceptions are various evil intelligent things and one mythical race of super humans, said to live somewhere in the world

Technological development is on the level of Greece in time of the Peloponnesian war, 5th Cent. B.C. Steel is unavailable except as a gift from strange people/creatures, there are no long range weaponry as longbows, sailing is limited to hugging the shore, city walls are rare, etc.

Most of the humanity lives as bronze age farmers and herders, simple barbarians, and some 30% lives in organized city-states and small kingdoms, with different types of government

In cities and other more civilized areas society is divided in classes based on income level. Everybody is free, but those who pay higher taxes are involved in war and politics. Egalitarianism among the barbarians (which are 70% of the population)

Much of the world is unexplored

Organized religion is early phase. There are cults, prophets, mystics, wise man, but  not many big temples and not much hierarchy. Beliefs vary from place to place

Free thinking is very cherished, literacy rate is 90% in cities, 30% in the countryside, sciences are in the early stages

Usual weapons are all which not require too much metal: spears, javelins, slings, short bronze swords. Short bow exists, but is considered cowards weapon

No horses

Several major languages exists, several important currencies

There is EVIL in the world. All kind of terrible things lurk in dark places, they are very varied and apparently not in league with one another. They seldom set far from their caves/mansions/huts/whatever, but when they do it is in force, ravaging the neighboring territories, and sometimes threatening whole regions with hordes of undead, monsters, demons, etc. But human forces always come together in such cases, even pausing wars and sieges for that purposes

Magic appears spontaneously in some individuals and usually provides them with abilities to counter evil, and do many useful tasks. It cannot be learned, and is developing spontaneously

Mar 4, 2011

LETS PLAY!

Hi there,

This pseudowebsite is here to help you decide to play an PBEM RPG (fantasy) game with me. We shall start as soon we have several players.

This RPG will be no writing competition, or dice rolling dungeon, but game based on the right decisions made by players. English is a foreign language for me, so I cannot ask players for long descriptions of feelings or situations, when I cannot provide the same kind of writing when it’s my turn.

The game world will be a classic medieval fantasy, but with no other races except humans available for playing, and with limited magic. Players are invited to create some standard nonspell characters, as fighters, leaders, rogues, thieves, scholars, monks, professionals, rangers, etc. I tend to use RoleMaster when referring to professions, spells, levels, and so. Knowing anything about it is not a requirement at all.

You are a free individual in a part of a world with little social hierarchy, and people are organized in small communities, towns and such, where persons with power and influence are local leaders, but with little power outside their domains. So you can forget about well advanced social structures as empires, armies, orders of paladins and so. To get a living you have to have a real world profession, and even you may progress to become a more hero-like character, your early profession will say much about you. So please provide me with:
  1. Your name and description of the natural habitat of the place you came from (islander, hill billy, city cat, peaceful farmer, forest roamer, nomad, river folk, etc.)
  2. Five training blocks, from early age to present, 2-5 yrs. each, such as: 1. I grew up in a farm house, 2. and that left to work for a local rancher, 3. became his trusted cowboy, 4. got captured by a barbarian tribe in a raid, and lived with them for a while, 5. escaped and lived alone on the great plains for some time now, trying to get home
  3. Profession. Must be a logical summary of this past experience. This character could call himself a warden, fighter, scout, ranger, trader, farmer, etc...This is important because if he is more of a fighter in his mind he will likely progress in different direction than if he consider himself a farmer (this second case is not inferior at all, as it underlines a practical side, and that character could easily become a local ruler, wealthy trader or so).
  4. Psychology of your character, what we used to call “alignment”
  5. That’s all. I will send you back your biography with maybe slight corrections, together with a definite list of your skills, possessions, and a few extra touches